Beater ejector



w. w. KRAUsE "BEATER EJECTOR July 18, 1950 Will/lll Filed Sept. 29, 1949 IIIII,

l' Rs NNA m f Patented July 18, 1950 `meyer Corporation, Chic sago,-lll.,y a corporation ,of Illinois Application September i949, Serial No. 118,620`

l 14 Claims.

` This invention relates generally to household food mixers and more particularly to an improved beater eject-ing mechanism for disconnecting mixing tools from the mixer power unit.

Household food mixers usually comprise a stand or base, a mixing bowl adapted to be supported onone end oi the base, and an electric motor power unit supported on the opposite end oi' the base so as to overhang the bowl. The mixing beaters, usually two in number, are carried by the power unit and extend downwardly into the bowl, their lower ends being so shaped as to agitate or stir the mix when they are rotated. In most household mixers the beater shaitsare parallel and are spaced a predetermined distance apart,

`the lower ends of the beaters having spaced blades which interdigitate as the beaters are rotated in opposite directions. The upper ends or shafts of the beaters are usually received in rotary drive relationship in rotatable cylindrical spindles journalled` in the power unit, the spindles being driven by the electric motor through appropriate gears. i

In most constructions the beaters are removable from the spindles so that they may be readily cleaned after each use. Various devices have been provided for releasably supporting the beaters in the spindles in drive` relationship. Generally, the relationship issuch that the beaters are keyed to the spindles when pressed upwardly therein and are released when pulled downwardly. Friction alone maybe used to hold the beaters in their working position, but in-most cases some sort of spring retainer is employed `which resists a slight downward pull but yieldsy under greater force. Y l

The ejector mechanism of this invention may be readily adapted for advantageous use in practically any mixerin which a downwardiiorce is employed either to 'disengage thezbeaters completely to permit them Yto drop `freely :out of the spindles, or simply to declutch themfrom the spindles to terminate the drive relationship after i vwhich they can be withdrawn theremaining disv tance easily by 'handys i where it may be actuated by movement of one nger to declutch the beaters from the drivingelements. When the ejectingmechanism is located so that it may be actuated at a moments notice, it also serves as a safety device, particularly whenlocated where it can `be struck by hand, for should the operators fingers or an implement such as a spoon or spatula become caught between the rotating beaters the ejector may be immediately actuated .to declutch the beaters before serious injury vor damage to the implement -or beaters can result: This is particularly important when the device is installed on modern high power mixers which deliver full power at low speeds.' f i p Y `Another object of the invention is to provide a beater ejector which comprises a bare minimum of. parts so" as to be inexpensive to fabricate and which may be readily incorporated into a wide f' Another Objectis to provide a mechanism rwhich Y operates on mixersy without interference with vpower take-ofi socket on the top of the unit for 30 attachmentssuch as juicers where the attachment drive shaft is inserted into one of the .beater drive `spindles from the top to couple the attachment to the drive. t j

`A further object is .to provide ay mechanism which operateswhetherthe mixer is running or `at rest, yet which*V is completely independent of the drive mechanism and imposes no load thereon. A further object is to provide a mechanism in which a single motion of the operators finger accomplishes or hand disengages the beaters, no subsequent manual withdrawal being required after declutching` occurs,

Other objects and advantages of the beater ejectorof this invention will present themselves to those vfamiliar with the art on reading the following specication in conjunction with the i drawing and the appended claims:

In the drawing: y

Fig. l is a side View, partially in section, showing a mixer power unit provided with the beater ejector of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a verticalsection taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; j l Fig. 3 is a side view similar to Fig. l but showing vaimodiiied embodiment of the beater ejector incorporated in a modified form of power unit having a front end power take-off shaft; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

A fundamental concept of this invention is to support a beater in releasable drive relationship in a drive spindle in such fashion that a downwardaxial force upon the beater shaft at'its top end accomplishes the declutching vvand ejection thereof and also to provide a single member actuated by a nger or hand for applying such force quickly and easily. The ejector memberv issodisposed as to move downwardly to bear directly against the top center ofthebeatershaft when the trigger is actuated so `that'the minimum fof friction is exerted against the shaft if the shaft is turning during ejection. 'When'the .trigger is not actuated, the actuator member remains out of contact with the shaft and imposesnoloa'd thereon,

Although but two embodiments i of 'the invention are -illustr-ate'd in thevdrawing as byiwayfof `example, the novel principles *of this 'invention may be adapted lto i various :types of lpower =units by slight modification.

In Figs. 1 and-2 apower unitilllhaving ajuicer lpower take-off 'socket I-I on'thef-topfthereofisillustrated as provided vwith one embodiment of this invention. However, I-sinc'e `the1beater ejector *is =related to the beater drive mechanism, fthe construction ofthe power unit willfiirst be/de- `scribed before'the beater ejector isrconsidered.

The power unit II! comprises an electrici'motor 4(not shown) as described generally in VtheBehar drive spindles #2y-gears I3 -fforfdriving the fspin- -`dles, a casing I4,an`d-aihan'dle I5 'mountedon "the casing. The spindles f2-'are supporte'din'an inner transmission housing I6 havingfa vcap I1. Pairs of 'sleeve bearings ljournalling -the ends of the spindles I2 are mounteidfinithe-'housing 'and cap in verticabalignmen't. lThe end-vof the motor armature' is machined' to'havea wormrgear 20 ithereon and projects lvinto the transmission `housingf I 6 midway between the spindles I2 'in' the embodiments 1illustrated zEach 'spindle has ia wrm-wheel 2I keyed thereto which 'meshes ywith the worm `2ll` on the motor/armature. 'Thus when the motor is running vthe -worm-drivero- "tates the Ltwo spindles I2 in-'opposite directions atan reduced speed.

Thebeater shafts 22 are of -suchldiameter'as to slip into the hollow spindles I2 andextendthe entire length thereof for rigidflateralsupport. In orderto-hold-theshafts 22in place'and-to drive them from and with the spindles'I-Beachbeater .shaft 22 is yprovidedwith a spring2-3havingfan outwardly bent portion 24 Awhich engages in a radial kerf '251locate'd yat the -top offthe corresponding spindle I2. EIn the-embodiment illustrated, two diametricallv spaeedl'kerfsi25fare provided in each spindle. When beaterslhaving four "bladesspaceda-t 90 are employediit is-actually vpreferred to Iemploy fourfkerfs vspaced at =right angles, "for the beaters `on insertion 'need only berotated-lessthan 90 with respect tof'thefspindles to align thefspring123.withfoneofthekerfs 25 and key the shaft to the spindle. Eachfspring "23 is`housedl ina'slot1'251milledin1the top Vof the Ashaft-22, the lower endof the-springf23 being bent at right angles and drivenlintos-a 1crosswise'hole in the shaftas indicatedatfZl. Thus vall of the spring with the exception of the projecting portion 'I8-is-supported v`Within the confines-'of the shaft 22, *and the projecting portion I8 v'may be 4 depressed all the way into the slot 2B by slight inward pressure.

To mount the beaters 22 in the spindles I2, the ends of the beaters are merely slid into the spindles I2 and moved upwardly to the position shown, being rotated slightly at the uppermost position to align the spring 23 with a kerf 25 so that `-the projectinggportion/E may spring outwardly intothe ke1ff25 and'lock the shaft I2 to the spindle 22. During initial insertion of the `upper end of the shaft I2 into the spindle the fcamaction of the spindle wall on the top portion of the spring 23 moves it to its depressed posistion.

'-'Io `remove-"tl 1e"beaters I2 manually, all that is required is-'todraw them downwardly, The bottomsurfaces of the kerfs 25 cam the projecting portions 24 of the springs inwardly, breaking the drive relationship and release the beaters I2 for easy withdrawal.

'.lThe tpower 'italie-:off -socket I I on top of the :unit `It)-tcomprises*aplate 30 and a socket ele- :ment 3I. '.The'plate ISilis supported by azscrew 32 on topofthe'cap I1 inra slight recess-which serves :to hold git in proper alignment. The socketelement 3| 'is staked in a hole 33 inthe :plate 3iaand rprojectsupwardly*v through an open- 2ing`f34 .inthe'housing Ilfthe bore of the element 53| zfbeingin,alignment'with-the bore of the cor- ',respondingzspindle :2-2. The lower end of the -.drive Ishaft ofthe juicer or otherattachment to :be-:drivenais preferably made exactly the saine-as fzthe .upper .endof thefbeater shaft I2, and the ldepressible:spring'of.the juicer shaft engages one of "the .lkerfs 25 fin exactly :the same `manner as :doesrtlrespring 23. .Thelength of the juicer drive shaft -issuch -as'to positionfthe lower end level Awith the Lkerfs T25 iso lthat engagement of the spring in fa .kerf may voccur when the shaft is =inserted.

If (desired, fthe bore :of the -socket element 3| lfmayibe slightlyzlarger'iin diameter than the 4bore of the spindle 22, and a juicershaft having one for -more xed'projections forengaging the kerfs "-ffmay'ibe employed. YIn either case thestationrary bowlielementrof theijuiceris preferably supfported directly ronfthe :outsideofthe upwardly vdirected socket element Y3 I V'Ihe'beater ejector comprises a trigger or lever :mounted in the Ymixer handle I5, a substantially fU-shaped actuator .rod 36, and a return spring-3l'. The power unithandle I5 is hollow on Athe 'bottomssida :and 4the -ejector mechanism is housed within the y:hollow at'the front end thoreo'f. vSkirt'portions 38 on the front end of the handle I5 extend rearwardly to enclose the actuatorrodSBon'the sides. This not only protects the mechanism fromA accidental damage but also improvestheappearance of the unit. The trigger 35 is '.pivotallyjjournalled on a transverse pin 4B rwhose rends A'are 'supported in holes drilled through the .sides oftheihandle I5. The front -end of the :triggerzis withintheconfines of the handle I5 'infthis particular embodiment, While the rear portion normally :extends below the handle iso :asto :be'engageable by the operators iingerinthefsame Vmanner asa pistol trigger,1as he grasps the handle I5. lSince the handle is used'tofsupportthe power-unit when it-is oif the pedestal support Y:and to move the unit sideways through they mix in'thebowl when on the support, the ioperators hand :is .positioned conveniently near the trigger` during most mixing operations, and the -trigger y,may-.be moved on amoments fnotice.

`rests in the position shown in Fig. 1.

The spring 31 normally holds the trigger 35 in the position illustrated in Fig. 1. 'When pulled, the trigger rotates in the counterclockwisev direction, the front end moving downwardly. The top portion of the actuator rod `36 isxreceived in a transverse slot 4I in the front end of they trigger 35, and, accordingly, pulling the triggercauses the actuator 36 to move downwardly.

The front portion of the return spring `3'! serves two functions: Being bent downwardly over the horizontal portion of the actuator rod 36 it serves to hold this portion rmly in the slot 4i. The spring 3'I'also bears against the right-hand leg 42 of the actuator (as viewedin Fig. 2), andfexerts rearward force thereon, theend of the `spring 31` being reversely bent sc as to cross over the leg 42.

The lower end of the actuator leg 42 normally rests in a slot 43 provided in the side ofthe element 3l in the position shown in Fig. 1. The upper end of this slot is inclined to form a cam surface 44 on which the leg 42 rides. When the actuator 36 is raised, the leg 42 -is cammed forwardly by the `interaction with this.. surface. When the actuator is moved downwardly, the leg 42 is moved rearwardly by the spring 31as 'the leg moves down the inclined surfaceV 44.' Rearward motion of the leg 42 is checked when it is centered over the beater shaft 22 by its `riding against the front surface of the element 3|. Thuswhen. elevated, the actuator leg 42 is retracted out of the shaft receiving bore ofthe element 3|, and when depressed it is' centered in the bore in beater engaging position.

The lower portion of the other leg.45 ofthe actuator rides in a hole 46 through thefplate 30 which is centered directly over the center of the beater shaft 22 and is not movable except vertically.

As has been described, the actuator normally When the trigger 35 is pulled upwardly' bythe operators ringer, the actuator 36 is moved downwardly. The lower end ofthe leg 45 moves straight down, while the other leg moves quickly downwardly and rearwardly until centered over the beater 22 under the action of the spring 37. The remaining downward motion of the actuator causes both legs to move downwardly and their ends strike the tops of the shafts 22 to move them downwardly to depress the springs 23 and declutch each of the beaters from the spindles l2. This action occurs whether the beaters are rotating or stationary. Once they have been unclutched only a slight pull is required to withdraw the beaters 22 from the unit I6.

When the beaters have been declutched and the finger pressure is released, the spring 31 returns the trigger 35 and actuator 36 to the starting position, clearing the bore in the velement 3| so that the attachment shaft may be inserted if desired.

If this embodiment of the ejector is to be used on a mixer not having a power take-off shaft Coaxial with one of the beater shafts, the construction is somewhat simplied, 'for both legs of the n actuator' 36 may be identical and disposed in line with the beater shafts. Such a construction is shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The power unit Ilia is somewhat modified from the one described in that the beater spindles 12a accommodate beaters 22a. which are completely released when moved slightly downwardly to unclutch them. This unit is also different in that a power take-off shaft 56 is provided at the front end of the unit Illa. This shaft has a worm .'wheel 5l thereon which is driven by a worm gear l top of the cap Ha and are kerfed'at the bottom insteadof at the top as indicated at 25a. The beaters 22a are stamped so that each has a pair `of diametrically spaced lugs or projections 55 y thereon which are received in the kerfs 25a to key the beaters 22a to the spindles I 2a when .fully inserted.

To hold the beaters in the inserted position, the upper ends thereof are undercut slightly to provide grooves 56 which engage C-shaped springs 5l; carried by the spindles |2a. Each spindle |2a is provided with a pair of saw cuts 58 and 59 on opposite sides. One cut 58 extends through the wall of the spindle into the. bore thereof, while the other is only of suilicient depth to engage the spring 5l. The C-shaped spring is slipped over each of the saw cuts 58 and 59, being retained thereon by its resiliency and rotating with the spindle I2a. i

When the beater shaft 22a is inserted all the way into the spindle i2a, the spring 5l engages the groove 56 and latches the beater in position. However, before the beater may be inserted all the way, the projections 55 must be aligned with the kerfs 25a on the bottom of the spindle. Thus when locked in the spindle 12a the beater is also clutched or keyed thereto in drive relationship.

The beater ejector is substantially the same as in the first described embodiment except that the actuator legs a are both coaxial with the beater shafts 22a, being similar to the left-hand leg 45 in the irst described embodimentgand the trigger element extends upwardly through the handle to a place where it is thumb controlled or struck by the operators hand. Similarity between the legs is possible because the power takeoff is on the front of the unit Illa.

The return spring 31a is different than the spring 31 in the previous embodiment but performs `essentially the same function. The spring 37a comprises a length of spring wire secured to the pivot pin 42 in the front end of the handle lla; The spring Sla is formed so as to bear against the handle so that it exerts both an upward force on the trigger 35a and a rearward force on the actuator to hold the horizontal portion firmly in the slot 4m provided in the end of the trigger 35a.

In both embodiments the opening through the housings lll and lila are such that the actuator canr be dismantled or installed with the handle removed or with the handle mounted in place. The offsets on the legs are such that they can be `moved sidewise enough to free themselves for withdrawal. Y

The operation of this embodiment is substantially the same. as that of Figs.` l and 2. When the trigger 35a is pressed upwardly, the front end thereof moves downwardly carrying the actuator 36a with it. The lower ends of the legs 45 move straight downwardly in the holes 62 in the tops of the spindles i2a, bearing against the tops of the shafts 22a and forcing them downwardly. The sides ofthe `C-shaped springs are forced outhandle'd at all lduring removal.

Vrward'lybyfthe downwardl movement and thef'beat- '.'ersa'll freely out of the spindles 12a.

Il-his embodiment of the.invention is-particularlyladvantageous, for the beaters neednotbe of mixing, theoperator ymay removethe power unit from the pedestal and hold it over vthe .kitchen sink, dishapan,retc.,'before :ejecting the beaters. The triggermayzthen bezpulled'and'the 'zbeaters will be released to drop into "the .sinkfA .for -subsequent washing without fany imanual handling thereof.

In.this embodiment the return spring `3 'lamay .be eliminatedf entirely if desired,.providing .that

:means is lsubstituted-ftohold thetop of the actu-#L ator in the slot lliaforthe tops of the beaters .will move the triggeria'to the startingposition when they are inserted. The spring 37a," however,

iis preferred for it holds the trigger securely against vibrationand insures that'no load is imposed on the rotating'beaters.

Various changes or modifications may be made in the above described vembodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. :For

example, the ejector mechanism shown in Figa.

3 and 4 maybe used to declutch beaters like those of Figs. l and 2. Similarly, the .beaters of Figs. 3 and 4 will be completely released and ejected by the mechanism of Figs. l and 2.

It is a simple matter to adapt the ejector mechanism to other types of motor unitssuch as those having vertically disposed motors with'side handles and beater drive gearing at the bottom. |Ihe rod-like nature of the actuator element makes it easy to form this element so asto by-pass other "trigger, and a unitary actuator extending from said trigger to said spindle for moving laterally to engage the end of the beater shaft and movable axially by the trigger in said-spindle to dislodge the shaft.

2. In a food mixer of the class described, the combination of a spindle journalled lfor rotation, said spindle having an axial bore therein for receiving a beater shaft in driven relationship, an opening through the top of said spindle exposing the end of the beater shaft, a trigger and a unitary actuator extending fromrsaid trigger to said spindle for engaging the end of the beater shaft and movable axially downwardly in the spindle by the trigger into said spindle to dislodge the shaft, said unitary actuator being'the sole interconnecting link between said trigger and said shaft.

3. In a food mixer of the class described-having a power unit, the combination of a spindle journalled for rotation, said spindle having an axial bore therein for receiving a beater shaitin driven relationship, an opening through the ftop of said spindle exposing the end of the beater shaft, a trigger and a unitary actuator extending from said trigger to said spindle ffor engaging the end of the beater `shaft Land `movable faxiallyfdown- On .completion `ovvardly 'iirthefspindle zthertriggerzinisaid, spin- 1 dleto"dis1odge the shaft, :said rtrigger being rex- :posedzon :top of `the power unit :for downward manual pressure, lwhereby striking ythe `trigger withI the handv will declutch'the` beaterfshaft` from the Spindle.

'4.In va foodirnixer of'the classidescribed, the combination of: a rhousing,:a. pair of r.spindles `iour- .nalled in '.the 'housing Aparallel to *eachy other, `each 'of said spindleshaving lan 'axial'.borerfor' receiving aibeater shaft andtbeing l open lat the v'top 'to ex- -pose the vend of said shaft,zspring :means at y'the l top of said spindles :for :retaining isaid ,fshafts therein, clutch means at'theabottom of saidshaft spindles Ifor keying the .shafts thereto, ia trigger, andra .fiU -shaped actuator .extending downwardly i'from i saidtriggertofthe top :of .each Vof fsaid spin- 'dlesfor lforcing said beaters idownwardlysto` over- :cornef-said resilientlmeans and 'declutchandre- 'lease saidshaftsfrom said sleeves'to permit-'the .shafts to dropireely'out of l'the spindles.

55.. In 'a food mixer fof the classdescribed, .the combination of a' housing, a'pair of spindles `journalled. in the housing parallel to each-other, 'each 4of said yspindles Shaving 'an axialbore .for receivinga beater shaft andbeingopen at'the top'to exposethe endsof saifdshaft'means for engaging said: shafts fand spindle-in 'drive .relationship upon :axialtm-ovement of onewith respectto the other, a trigger, :and :a 'U'shaped actuator extending from said trigger finto 'the spindles at the'itop of the shafts 'forforcingssaid beater shafts downwardly to declutchfand lrelease said shafts from saidtspindles, permitting ytlfiets'hafts '.to'dropffreely `outl ofthe spindles.

6. In ."a /food mixer'i'of the class described, the combination: of a'housing, la pair of spindles journalled in the housing parallel to each other, each of said spindles'having an axial bore forreceivingfa ;beater shaft and 'being lopen at ithe top Ato exposethe .end yofzsaid shaft, spring means 'at'the top of .said vspindles for retaining 'said shafts therein, a'trigger, Vand a =U-.shaped actuator 4ex- '.tendingdownwardyrfromsaid trggerto the top lof 'each of `saidqspindles for forcing said I,beaters downwardly to overcome said resilient means and :declutch 'said shafts.

.7. Ina. foodLm'iXer-ofithe class described, the

combination'of a housing havingfan opening, a

pair of spindles journalledin the housingparallel to Aeach other below the opening, each .of Asaid spindles .having Van .axial "bore for receiving ./a beatershaft and being open at the top to `expose theendof said shaft, :resilient-means for retaining said shafts in thespindles, a pivoted member, and a, U-shaped'actuator inits working position extending downwardly fromlsaid member' through saidppening to the ytop of each of said spindles for.:` forcing `said'.beaters-'downwardly vto .overcome said resilient means :and declutch said shafts, said actuator being removable from said working positionthrough saidv opening.

`8.` Ina food mixer, a housing, a handle'for supportingthe housing, a'plurality of power driven spindles journalled in the housing and open at both ends itoreceive beater shafts through one endiin ysupported relationship, a manually 'operated trigger mounted upon vthe handle, anda unitary U-Shaped actuator having rleg portions disposed in axial alignment with the other ends ofthe sleeves and movable by the trigger'to-engage and dislodge any beater shafts supported in said spindles, saidactuator being the sole interconnecting means between .the trigger andfthe spindles.

9. In a food mixer, an ejector for a food agitator having a supporting shaft comprising a trigger, a spindle for receiving said shaft in supported drive relationship, resilient means at the top of said spindle for holding the shaft therein, clutch means at the bottom of said spindle for keying the shaft thereto when the shaft is moved to the limit of upward travel, and means actuated by said trigger including a thrust element disposed in alignment with the agitator shaft at the end thereof remote from the agitator, said thrust element having a throw controlled by said trigger within which to engage and displace the shaft of the agitator from its supported drive relationship in a direction axially thereof when the trigger is operated.

10. In a mixer of the class described, the combination including a driven spindle rotatably journalled and having an axial bore, a stationary attachment drive socket element having a bore coaxial with the bore at the spindle, said element being disposed above said spindle in close proximity thereto, clutch means at the top of said spindle for interchangeably coupling a beater shaft inserted into said spindle from the bottom thereof, an actuator member for forcing the beater shaft downwardly in said spindle to declutch same, an opening in a wall of said element into the bore thereof through which said actuator extends, and means for moving the lower end of said actuator downwardly and radially inwardly into the bore of said element.

11. In a mixer of the class described, the combination including a driven spindle rotatably journalled and having an axial bore, a stationary attachment drive socket element having a bore coaxial with the bore of the spindle, said element being disposed above said spindle in close proximity thereto, clutch means at the top of said spindle for interchangeably coupling a beater shaft insert-ed into said spindle from the bottom thereof, an actuator member for forcing the beater shaft downwardly in said spindle to declutch same, an opening in a wall of said element into the bore thereof through which said actuator extends, an inclined cam surface on said element over which said actuator slides for moving the lower end of said actuator radially outwardly as it is raised, and resilient means for holding said actuator in contact with the cam surface.

12. In a food mixer having a rotary drive member receiving therein in releasable drive engagement a beatershaft with the upper end of the beater shaft exposed in an axial direction, said engagement including a resilient element carried by one member and engaging the other member in releasable securement against axial displacement when said beater shaft member is disposed in operative position, the combination of a trigger and a unitary actuator extending from said trigger to a point proximate to the exposed end of said shaft member and movable axially downwardly a distance sufficient to overcome said resilient element and dislodge the beater shaft from said engagement, said unitary actuator being the sole interconnecting link between said trigger and said shaft member.

13. In a food mixer having a rotary drive member receiving therein in releasable drive engagement a beater shaft with the upper end of the beater shaft exposed in an axial direction, said engagement including a resilient element carried by one member and engaging the other member in releasable securement against axial displacement when said beater shaft member is disposed in operative position, the combination of a trigger, a unitary actuator extending from said trigger to ya point proximate to the exposed end of said shaft member, and a guide for said actuator disposed at the top of said drive member, said actuator being movable axially downwardly a distance sufficient to overcome said resilient element and dislodge the beater shaft from said engagement and being the sole interconnecting link between said trigger and said shaft member, said guide maintaining the lower end of the actuator in alignment with the upper end `of the beater shaft.

14. In a food mixer of the class described, the combination of a spindle journalled for rotation, said spindle having an axial bore therein for receiving a beater shaft in driven relationship and an opening through the top of said spindle exposing the end of the beater shaft, a trigger, a unitary actuator extending downwardly from said trigger for engaging the end of the beater shaft and movable axially downwardly by the trigger to dislodge the shaft, and means for maintaining the lower end of said actuator in alignment with said shaft, said unitary actuator being the sole interconnecting link between said trigger and said shaft.

WALTER W. KRAUSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,048,455 Knapp July 21, 1936 2,093,534 Wright Sept. 21, 1937 2,098,098 Jepson Nov. 2, 1937 2,293,959 Wright Aug. 25, 1942 

